Mosquito Control in MN
Mosquito Control in MN
Don’t let Mosquitoes put a damper on your outdoor fun this summer.
By Garrett Anderson
Every spring millions of Minnesotans come out of hibernation to enjoy one the the best times in the area. As soon as summer hits, many areas of the metro are hit with swarms of Mosquitoes that can wreak havoc on your best laid plans. Did you know that Mosquitoes are not only are annoying, but can carry harmful diseases such as West Nile and Encephalitis?
Why are they so bad in Minnesota?
Minnesota is the land of 10,000 lakes. Unfortunately, that also means we are one of the perfect areas for mosquitoes to breed and thrive. Generally, mosquitoes will find standing water, whether that be a swamp, birdbath, or dog dish, and do their “thing” leaving hundreds of mosquito larvae to grow and form into the flying pest you see around your yard . Most often, populations will rise and fall with the weather, meaning every time it rains and humidity rises, you can expect those mosquito populations to boom as well.
Diseases that Mosquitoes can carry
Luckily, at this point in time we do not have to worry about the dreaded Zika Virus in MN. We have roughly 51 species of mosquitoes; of those 51, only 24 of them actually bite humans. In addition, generally only female mosquitoes will bite as they need a blood meal to produce offspring.
The Culex tarsalis mosquito is the culprit behind West Nile disease. It starts by getting the disease from birds then transferring it to humans. The Asian Tiger Mosquito can carry many different diseases, but most common here in MN is Encephalitis. Aedes vexans is the most common mosquito but does not commonly spread and current disease.
Overall, MN has a relatively low chance of disease transmitted from mosquitoes, which is a small victory in the war against these pests.
Protecting yourself
There are a few things you can do to protect yourself and your family:
- Wear loose fitting, long sleeve pants and shirts when outside, especially around dusk and dawn
- Use repellents- Deet (up to 30%) works very well for the most part. I've also found that eucalyptus seems to do the job as well
- Treat your clothing with permethrin-based repellents- This works really well, especially if you are camping or going for a hike!
The tip and toss method
The most important thing you can do around your lawn is to practice the tip and toss method. All you have to do is find any standing water, tip over the container that’s holding it, and give it a toss! Its really that simple. By doing this you are removing the environment that mosquitoes need for breeding. This like old tires, birdbaths, buckets, flower pots, and kiddie pools all can be very attractive for mosquitoes once there is standing water in them.
You should also be checking your gutters, any tarps your have, and even tree holes that may hold water as they can be just as much of an issue.
How can we help?
Even if you do all the right things to protect yourself and your landscaping, mosquitoes will find a way to get you. While mosquitoes have a low chance of transmitting disease in MN, no one wants to have their outdoor time ruined by biting insects that never seem to let up. Creating a Barrier Spray and treating the areas they breed is the best protection against these guys. This is where we come in.
Our Mosquito Control Program is designed to give you a season outside that you can enjoy without these pests. Our Barrier Spray acts as an invisible fence that will kill these on contact and create lasting protection that will continue to work after we have sprayed. While controlling ever single mosquito is a tough thing, we regularly see up for 90% control. In addition to our Barrier Spray, we also include inspecting and treating the breeding grounds each visiting.
Along with our Mosquito Program, we have a great Flea and Tick Program for those of you with furry loved ones. The best part is we are able to offer a great bundled discount for those who get both programs!
Give us a call today to find out how we can help.